Deshaun Watson Reinstated, Browns Cut Josh Dobbs

It’s official, Deshaun Watson is back. The polarizing Cleveland Browns’ signal-caller was reinstated by the NFL on Monday after serving an 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy. Watson is expected to start against his former team the Houston Texans this Sunday at 1 p.m. The game is at Houston, as well, which should set up an intense atmosphere. Watson wasn’t received well by fans in Jacksonville during a preseason game. The boos will be even louder in Houston.

The Browns waived former Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs to make room for Watson on the 53-man roster. Watson was cleared to practice on November 14 in preparation for the Browns’ Week 13 matchup against the Texans. General manager Andrew Berry revealed earlier this month that Watson would take over as the Browns’ starting quarterback once his suspension was over.

Jacoby Brissett has been OK for the Browns, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,608 yard with 12 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 89.1. The Browns are hoping for a significant upgrade with Watson under center, especially since they sent their 2022, 2023 and 2023 first-round picks as well as a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Texans for Watson.

Cleveland also gave Watson a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract that featured a $44.965 million signing bonus, which didn’t sit well with a lot of NFL owners or Browns fans, given that Watson has been accused of multiple incidents of sexual misconduct, including harassment and assault, since 2021. Watson settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits accusing him of coercive and lewd sexual behavior during massage appointments, including two that alleged sexual assault.

The Browns are embracing their new quarterback, as they’ve already added a banner of Watson at FirstEnergy Stadium.

#Browns have added QB Deshaun Watson to FirstEnergy Stadium

(📸: @gabbgoudy) pic.twitter.com/WXZqv8h5Wp

— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) November 28, 2022